VINE. 



265 



tised, because they can be allowed to spread 

 wider on each side of the rafters, and when 

 spurred they require a greater breadth than 

 on the other plan. Never permit them to 

 spread over all the roof, although they be 

 spurred; but always leave a space of twelve 

 or fifteen inches up the middle of each light, 

 so that the sun will be admitted in order to 

 bring the fruit to perfection. 



I shall first treat upon those Vines which 

 are spurred. The method of treating the 

 Vine during the first summer which is al- 

 ready laid down, is alike applicable to both 

 the modes of treatment. I shall therefore 

 commence with the first winter pruning, 

 which must always be done in November, 

 providing the wood be ripe, which will be 

 known by its brown colour and the leaves 

 dropping off. 



First Year. — Winter Pruning. — In pruning 

 the shoots always cut about one inch above 

 a bud, and so as to slope in the same direc- 

 tion in which the bud grows ; the length at 

 which the shoots are to be left must be re- 

 gulated according to their strength. If the 

 shoots are as much as one inch and a half or 

 upwards, in circumference, let them be cut 

 back so as to leave four feet in length of the 

 new wood inside the house. But if the shoots 

 are much less in circumference, let them be 

 pruned down to two buds. As soon as the 



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